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Beijing not interested in semantics, academic says

Semantic quibbles on the "1992 consensus" are not Beijing's primary design in meeting with opposition leaders, an expert on cross-strait affairs said yesterday.

"Beijing is not overly concerned about [these] communiques [with opposition leaders], because ultimately it has to be acceptable to the government," said Chang Wu-ueh (張五岳), professor of China Studies at Tamkang University, suggesting that Beijing was more interested in using the opportunity to clarify its political stance on Taiwan.

Chang was responding to People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) introduction yesterday of the notion of "two sides on each side of the Strait, one China" to replace the so-called "1992 consensus." Soong put forth the notion in a communique issued after a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao (宋楚瑜).

Beijing's other primary motivation in extending invitations to Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and Soong was to advance its opposition to Taiwanese independence through the two main opposition parties, Chang said.

He expressed doubt over whether Soong's semantic contribution to the debate on the existence or not of a "1992 consensus" could make much headway in resolving the cross-strait stalemate.

"This might seem like a step in the wrong direction for the pan-green political camp," Chang said.

According to the pan-blue camp, the "1992 consensus" refers to an agreement on the "one China" principle, with each side having its own interpretation. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not acknowledge the consensus, saying the notion was fabricated in 2000 by then Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Su Chi (蘇起).

Beijing insists that negotiations are possible only if both sides recognize the "1992 consensus" and the "one China" principle.

The notion refers to oral statements that negotiators of the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation and its Chinese counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, had issued regarding the "one China" formula at the conclusion of a meeting in Hong Kong in 1992. The DPP has denied that a consensus was reached, but suggested last October that the 1992 meeting could serve as the basis for future negotiation, indicating that the meeting was a mark of both parties' willingness to put aside political differences.

Chang said that, despite the focus that has been placed on Soong's promise to redefine the "1992 consensus," Beijing has its eye on wooing the Taiwanese audiences tuning in to live coverage of Hu and Soong's meeting.

"Beijing is using this meeting to publicize its stance on Taipei," Chang said, indicating that Beijing had put its best foot forward, giving opposition leaders high-profile receptions and repeating claims that it is committed to peace.

Chang said that Beijing has been successful in this tactic and warned that the government had to wake up to the new strategies being employed by its opponent.
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